Bob Allen Hub

Florida Rep. Bob Allen, who was convicted of soliciting sex from a police officer in 2007, has given up trying to appeal his case: "While he's maintained his innocence and is confident of his
innocence, there comes a point where you just have to move on with your
life, and I think that's where he's at."

New York Governor Paterson bringing back openly gay chief advisor: "And he has announced that he would bring back Charles J. O’Byrne,
his former chief aide who resigned amid a tax scandal, to serve as a
top political adviser. It is a potentially risky move, given that the
governor will be seeking tax increases this spring, but it might help
with the disarray that has plagued his inner circle."

Sean Penn opts out of Milk post-Oscar bash: "Not every celebrity completed his Oscar-party rounds. Saturday night, Best Actor winner Sean Penn - who neglected to thank his long-suffering wife in his acceptance speech - ditched Focus Features' bash for "Milk" at BLT Steak on Sunset Boulevard. 'It was the film producers' party for their own movie and Sean didn't show up,' said our astonished source."

Michigan court recognizes adoption by Illinois gay couple: "The court ruled 2-1 that the U.S. Constitution
requires state courts to recognize Diane Giancaspro and Lisa Congleton
as adoptive parents. It reversed a trial judge who said Michigan’s 2004
voter-approved gay marriage ban kept her from enforcing the women’s
parental rights."

Gay Pride organizers in Chiang Mai, Thailand, call off second annual parade after taunts from protestors: "According to the Thai Nation newspaper, the protesters launched
verbal attacks through a megaphone saying the event tarnished the
city's reputation. They also reacted angrily to remarks made by the
organisers that the 'Rak Chiang Mai 51' group was acting like thugs. Fearing violence, the organisers Mplus, Chiang Mai's largest HIV/AIDS
group, called the march which was to start from Buddha-sathan through
Night Bazaar before ending at the Tawan Trendy Mall. The confrontation reportedly lasted an hour before the organisers
agreed to dismantle the stage and cancel the activities in the area.
The report noted that 150 policemen had been mobilised for the parade."

You may remember that months before his arrest, Allen co-sponsored Florida House Bill #1475, which would have increased public sex charges from a misdemeanor to a felony. According to the Palm Beach Post, "The proposed bill addressed 'unnatural and lascivious acts or exposure or exhibition of sexual organs' within 1,000 feet of a park, school or child care facility."

"Allen was sentenced in November to six months’ probation, a $250 fine and other court and restitution costs — a sentence put off pending the outcome of the appeal. The Brevard County Circuit Court panel, made up of three judges, has affirmed the conviction. Allen now has the option to appeal to the 5th District Court of Appeals. Allen has consistently maintained his innocence. His attorney, Greg Eisenmenger, argued in the appeals hearing in May that Allen wasn’t charged under the right statute, saying that in order for Allen to be guilty of solicitation, he would have had to request money and sex from the officer. Eisenmenger said it was the officer who suggested 'sex for money.' Prosecutor Pat Whitaker countered that the statute under which Allen was charged also prohibits inducing people into prostitution. He said Allen’s actions show he induced the officer into having “sex for hire” by agreeing to pay."

"After his conviction in July 2007, Allen resigned. Now he is fighting back. He filed an appeal. Wednesday was his day in court. Outside the courtroom Allen and his wife, Beth, did not run from reporters. Allen couldn't say much -- his attorney Greg Eisenmenger wouldn't let him, but Beth Allen could. When asked if they were getting good support, Beth Allen replied, 'Absolutely, absolutely. The only negatives are the anonymous cowards on the blogs.' She talked about her upcoming election. Beth Allen is running for supervisor of elections. She talked about her husband. 'I am not a stand by your man kind of woman, under any circumstances. If I thought for a moment he was guilty of that which he was charged I would’ve dumped him the next day,' said Beth Allen. And when the courtroom doors opened it was time to make the case for Bob Allen’s appeal."

Last Friday, Florida Rep. Bob Allen, who was sentenced to six months supervised probation and ordered to pay a $250 fine related to a misdemeanor conviction of solicitation of prostitution, resigned from his seat in the Florida House.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, "Allen's letter to House Speaker Mario Rubio said he would resign on Feb. 15, 2008, or earlier if a replacement election can be held. In his letter, Allen citied 'the requirements of my family and my private life, and in order to seek justice in the upcoming appeal process' as reasons for his decision."

According to the Palm Beach Post: "Allen, a Merrit Island Republican, could have been sentenced to 60 days in jail. He plans to appeal. In addition to the probation, Allen was fined $250 and must pay $245 for in restitution to the Titusville Police for the initial investigation. Allen also must attend an HIV awareness class, undergo sexually transmitted disease testing and pay court costs."

He'll also have to find another location for his hobby: "He is...forbidden to return to Space View Park where the incident took place."

Allen is lucky that Florida House Bill #1475, which he co-sponsored months before his arrest, failed. According to the Post, "[It would have] increased public sex charges from a misdemeanor to a felony. The proposed bill addressed 'unnatural and lascivious acts or exposure or exhibition of sexual organs' within 1,000 feet of a park, school or child care facility."